We may all need siestas, if only the boss would allow

If your energy wanes late during the work day, you are not alone. A new Accountemps survey of senior managers suggests late afternoon is the most common time for workers to hit a wall.

The survey was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with more than 1,000 senior managers at companies with 20 or more employees.

Managers were asked, “In general, what is the least productive time of day for employees?” Their responses:

8-10 am, 10%

10-noon, 4%

noon-2 pm, 19%

2-4 pm, 28%

4-6 pm, 37%

don’t know, 2%

Accountemps suggests several ways to battle the doldrums:

Plan ahead. Don’t push challenging projects off until the end of the day, when your energy may wane. Use your less-energetic periods to catch up on more routine tasks, such as responding to e-mails and reading industry publications.

Get out and smell the roses. If you feel your energy beginning to dip, stretch or take a short walk to recharge. Try eating your meals or holding afternoon meetings outside.

Eat well. Remember to make time for lunch and nutritious snacks throughout your workday. Avoid high-carb foods, which can cause you to crash later.

Track goals. Keep a to-do list to remain focused. There’s nothing more motivating than making progress on your projects.

Switch gears. If you’re struggling to focus, take a quick break and research something new. Changing tasks can help increase your productivity late in the day.